Newstalk ZB
Mariameno Kapa-Kingi is leaving Te Pāti Māori to start her own political party. The MP’s split from the party comes after a turbulent past year which culminated in Kapa-Kingi being expelled from Te Pāti Māori, along with Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris. Kapa-Kingi successfully challenged the legitimacy of her expulsion in court and was reinstated by a judge to her party. However, this latest announcement sees her again part ways with the party. She will campaign in the November election under a new party name, Te Tai Tokerau Party, referencing the Northland Māori electoral seat she currently holds. “Te Tai Tokerau Party is here,” Kapa Kingi said in a video posted on social media. “It is a new and refreshed expression of Te Tiriti o Waitangi [Treaty of Waitangi] me te Whakaputanga [and the 1835 Declaration of Independence of New Zealand]. It is mana motuhake [self-determination] live and in action.” The party would be a “platform for the needs and aspirations of our whānau”. She said further details, including policies, would be announced shortly. In the video, Kapa Kingi urged people to sign up as financial members. Political parties in New Zealand need at least 500 current financial members to register for the election. She also called for volunteers to support the party. Party president John Tamihere did not comment when approached by the Herald.ITALICS He referred all queries to the party’s co-leaders, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi. Kapa-Kingi was elected as the MP for Te Tai Tokerau, the Māori electoral seat covering part of West Auckland and Northland, at the last election in 2020. More to come ...
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